Propecia Side Effects
Propecia is the trademarked brand name for the drug Finasteride which is also available as generic drug. It is a drug for treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia approved by FDA but it is also used for treatment of male pattern baldness and is widely advertised for this application. FDA has approved the drug Propecia for treatment of male pattern baldness also.
In its use for treatment of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) the drug of dosage 5 mg per day is administered for six months to get the full effects of the drug. It is known to improve the condition of difficulty in urinating and associated problems.
Propecia to counter Male Baldness:
In a survey conducted for years the benefits of Propecia to stop hair loss and regain the lost hair showed unmistakable results proving the efficacy of the drug to treat baldness. In the chosen group of men, all with complaints of hair loss, two of three were given one mg of finasteride every day. Many of this group regrew hair to some extent. Those who were not taking the drug lost all their hair. Of the group taking Propecia 48% could grow their hair back and another 48% lost no hair in the period. During all the five years of the study the group taking the drug showed steady increase in the growth or at least stopped further loss. But the effect of FInasteride showed that it remained as long as it was taken; once they stopped the regime they lost all hair. The crown area of the participants showed marked increase of hair growth.
Side Effects of Propecia:
There are many side effects of Propecia and some are serious indeed. It is observed that it can induce impotence, abnormal ejaculation, abnormal sexual function and erectile dysfunction. Other side effects observed are gynecomastia, ejaculation disorder and testicular pain. Even depression is also one of the possible side effects. The major side effects of Propecia are sexual efficacy related.
It is reported that the men who had used the drug suffered reduced libido and erectile dysfunction even after the discontinuation of the therapy. The report published that the impotence induced by Propecia is irreversible impotence. This has been confirmed by UK’s Medical and health care Regulatory Agency and Swedish Medical Products agency. These warning about permanent impotence are included in product literature I Europe.
Male Breast Cancer is another of a serious side effect of Propecia. Other important side effect is the teratogenecity, which causes birth defects in unborn baby. The pregnant women are advised not even to handle the broken drugs as it can be absorbed through skin.
Though the drug Propecia is prescribed for hair loss and treatment of baldness the care must be exercised in its usage because of the serious side effects it can cause.
